NHL Monday Betting Preview: Knights And Capitals Face Off in DC

Anaheim Ducks at Boston Bruins

Things haven’t been as easy for the Ducks lately, as they’ve lost four of their last five games. However, they did slap around the Tampa Bay Lightning Friday, so Trevor Zegras and Co. might have some momentum as they begin a five-game, month-ending road trip. Boston has won 10 of its last 12 games and is obviously rolling, but all four of the Bruins’ current wins have been by a single goal.

Anaheim is only -120 at +1½ goals on the BetUS sportsbook puck line, which may really good value for having that goal cushion.

Los Angeles Kings at New York Rangers

The Rangers have the rest advantage in this one, with the the Kings having played (and won) Sunday night in Newark. Los Angeles has nonetheless lost three of its last four, but should have starting goalie Jonathan Quick back in net. LA opposes a Ranger team that keeps winning, even if its underlying numbers aren’t all that pretty.

Igor Shesterkin has won each of his last six starts, and New York is a completely different team with him starting.

Dallas Stars at Philadelphia Flyers

With a brutal 6-3 home loss to the Buffalo Sabres Saturday, the Flyers’ winless streak reached 11 games. While the Flyers’ season is officially in the gutter, the Stars are a terrible road team, as in 6-12-1. However, they’re bwon the first two games of this trip. It’s not a bad spot for the Flyers to snap their skid as pretty sizable underdogs and with starting goalie Carter Hart probably back in goal.

Vegas Golden Knights at Washington Capitals

This should be a great game between two really good teams. It’s also a revenge game of sorts for former Capital Chandler Stephenson, enjoying a breakout season for Vegas (team-leading 38 points). He’s playing in D.C. for the first time since he was traded in December, 2019.

Both teams are actually scuffling a bit due to injuries and COVID absences, so Vegas is an interesting underdog.

Montreal Canadiens at Minnesota Wild

Montreal’s COVID-extended, six-week road trip from hell concludes tonight in St. Paul, as the cellar-dwelling Canadiens oppose a red-hot Wild team coming off a thrilling OT win over the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday. The Canadiens are just 1-4-4 on their odyssey, but have been more competitive of late. Montreal took the Golden Knights and Avalanche to overtime last week.

It won’t be an easy task to slow down Minnesota, winners of five of sis behind backup goalie Kaapo Kahkonen.

Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche

With their win over the Canadiens Saturday evening, the Avalanche became the eighth team in NHL history to win 15 consecutive home games. Colorado is really good wherever they play (winning six in a row overall and 11- of-12), but Jared Bednar’s team is close to unbeatable at Ball Arena (17-2-1).

On the other hand, the Blackhawks have lost three straight games after a four-game winning streak. Marc-Andre Fleury could give them a chance tonight, trying to bounce back after a rough showing Friday night against the Wild (four goals allowed on 13 shots).

St. Louis Blues at Calgary Flames

Calgary crashed back to earth after a hot (no pun intended) start to the season. Calgary lost five of its last six games and isn’t getting the lights-out goaltending from either Jacob Markstrom or Dan Vladar that they were getting early in the season. The Flames’ Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk are accumulating points, but the supporting cast need to do some supporting.

Meanwhile, the Blues keep winning, eight of their last 10 games. St. Louis was 3-1 winners in Vancouver Canucks Sunday night, with backup Ville Husso earning his fifth straight win. Jordan Binnington probably gets the start against Calgary, but there may be a goalie controversy brewing, given how well Husso has been playing.